Fentanyl fuels string of deadly weekend overdoses in Portland, Oregon
By CLAIRE RUSH
Associated Press/Report for America
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police in Portland, Oregon, say that at least eight people died from suspected drug overdoses over the weekend. The police bureau said that six of the deaths were likely fentanyl related. Officials said that several of those who died believed they were using cocaine, when it was actually fentanyl or a mix of the two substances. According to the Oregon Health Authority, the number of unintentional overdose deaths related to fentanyl more than doubled from 2020 to 2021. The agency found that in 2021, fentanyl and methamphetamine were the most common drugs in accidental overdose deaths.